Chair's Office

Hofstra's Department of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations [JMSPR] is among the fastest-growing in the country, training and educating our students to work in a rapidly changing media world. In 2001, the prestigious Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication granted its accreditation to the program - one of the youngest departments to be so accredited.  The department was re-accredited in 2008.

The program provides a strong academic foundation for those wishing either to enter the diverse areas of journalism, media or public relations, either as practitioners or to pursue graduate studies in a variety of communication-related fields. Courses focus on modern communication methods, theories, and technologies. Practical instruction in journalism, including print, broadcast and information graphics,as well as in public relations, are accompanied by internships with major media outlets in New York, across the nation and around the world. Students are taught to question, research, and analyze the social, legal, political, historical, and economic factors that influence the media and the media's influence on society. The history, development, and ethical foundations of journalism and media communication are significant components of all of our major concentrations.

With their extensive professional experience, our award-winning faculty are frequently called upon to supply information to media outlets as consultants, contributors, and analysts. Our journalism faculty have all worked at national newspapers, major magazines and broadcast networks. Additionally, our public relations faculty have significant experience in the corporate, nonprofit and community service sectors, while our media studies faculty contribute regularly to scholarly publications and present their research in media analysis at conferences and meetings, nationally and internationally. With a broad base of networking contacts among major corporations and agencies, our faculty are well poised to help our students attain exceptional internships and careers in New York and around the country.

A Hofstra degree is a ticket to your future, in a field with endless possibilities. In addition to the professional opportunities in journalism and public relations, our mass media studies program provides the needed preparation for students who wish to pursue graduate degrees in a wide range of media related fields including media law, accounting and management, as well as politics and education.

Sincerely,
Professor Bob Papper

Chair, Department of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations